Let Us Count the Ways…
Hollywood Drum enthusiastically supports Professional Drum Shop. There shall be no gratuitous exclamation marks, caps, or smileys here for visual emphasis, but be assured of our enthusiasm.

The beloved, iconic, and abiding institution of the Los Angeles drum scene is celebrating 50 years in its original location on Vine St. in Hollywood. Since 1959 (I did the math) Pro Drum has served and connected the drum community here with the passion, expertise, and humanity that only an independent, drummer-run corner shop could offer. It was the first in town and remains the undisputed favorite among local pros.

I extolled the virtue of the corner drum shop right here in the inaugral HollywoodDrum.com blog post as a guiding exemplar for this site. Pro Drum has embodied that ideal consistently, and earned its stature as drum-central in L.A. The inscribed photos of drumming elite that wallpaper the shop aside, the rich history and seasoned soul of the place is felt immediately upon entering its doors (back door for the initiated). Whether stopping by for gear, repair, a hang, or a Styrofoam cup of booze at the annual Christmas party, Pro Drum continues to be a welcome and welcoming destination for L.A. drummers.

On with the 50th Anniversary Show
Come celebrate 50 years of Professional Drum Shop at Avalon Hollywood, Saturday, June 6th from 1-4pm. The lineup includes performances by Ronald Bruner Jr. and band, and Emil Richards with 17-piece big band. And if that’s not enough for your $12, there will be a screening of the Pro Drum 50-year retrospective documentary, and door prizes (does anyone know why they’re called that?).

Tickets are available at Pro Drum or at Avalon on the day of the event.

From Bob and Chuck to Stan and Jerry—and on behalf of all L.A. drummers—Hollywood Drum offers congratulations and gratitude to the Professional Drum Shop.

Check back soon for a review of the show, and a feature on 50 years of Pro Drum.

As Elvy Brock says in the first words of the first HollywoodDrum.com video interview, “Oh, hello, L.A.” More to the point here: Oh, hello L.A. drummers. I welcome you to the new website. It’s been a long time comin’. Come on in.

My hope for this site goes beyond an online presence for the Hollywood Drum retail showroom and teaching studio in N. Hollywood, CA. It is that, but I’m looking for much more. Even the name itself holds the allure and the potential of something bigger; Hollywood Drum signifies the tribe we are part of, professionally and socially: the L.A. drumming community. And now, with the launch of HollywoodDrum.com, L.A.’s drum community has a home. And a homepage.

So, What’s Here for Us?
You’ll find news posts on this page and local drum-scene oriented editorial content in Features. A quick glance at the Calendar tells you who’s hitting where on any given night. There’s a community resale category in the Shop to feature exceptional used and vintage gear, and a resources page in the Studio to offer educational and conceptual materials. I don’t mean to beat this idea of “community” with the butt end of a 2B, but that’s really what it’s all about—bringing L.A. drummers together in a supportive and informative way. I’m really interested to see how the Forum evolves as a drummer hang.

A Drummer Hang.
As I think about ways to attract and connect the local drumming community, I keep returning to the image and function of the celebrated corner drum shop. We’ve lost many of them to the grab of big box retail, and we treasure the few remaining. If there is such a thing as the “drumming family” (and there is), then these places are our mutual homes. The lucky among us grew up as drummers in them and always feel a sense of connection, support and belonging when we walk through their doors.

How do we recreate that in cyberspace? Let’s find out. Step inside. Catch up on what’s down around town, reach out, promote yourselves, support each other, discover, enlighten, make some noise, get it on, bang a gong. This is your site, L.A. Drummers—our own virtual corner beyond the far-flung streets of the city. Together, we can keep the unifying spirit of those drum shops alive. Please contact us with ideas, submissions, questions, or feedback of any kind.

For now, as our Elvy Brock concludes, “Come and get the rock!”